The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) was established under Kerala Act 27 of 2005 and replaced the 2002 Bar Council of Kerala Trust Law Institute. In 2008, its governance and government involvement were enhanced by an amendment. NUALS is located at the Kalamassery campus of Kochi, sharing a border with the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Kochi in the eastern part of Kochi city named Ernakulam. NUALS is recognised by UGC under two sections that are 2(f) and 12B. NUALS is a member and accredited by the Bar Council of India (BCI). The university is also a participant of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS) Ernakulam provides various law courses, such as the five-year course in the B.A. LL.B. (Hons). In the case of postgraduate level, it offers one year of the L.L.M. with majors in constitutional and administrative law, international trade law, and public health law. There is also a doctoral program in the university. These courses are based on admission that depends majorly on the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). NUALS is approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and by the Bar council of India (BCI).
The campus of NUALS Ernakulam has academic premises, hostels, a library, sports centres and a legal aid clinic. The university assists in placements and internships through its placement and internship cell project, and the graduates get employment opportunities in companies, financial institutions and banks. Scholarships can be offered under different government and non-governmental programs to which NUALS students are entitled. Dedicated legal research centres are also found on the campus, and extracurricular activities such as debates and moot court competitions are also held.
Particular | Details |
University Name | National University of Advanced Legal Studies Ernakulam |
Mode of Education | Regular (Full-time) |
Departments | Law |
Courses Offered | Undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, doctoral and certificate programs |
Popular Courses | B.A. LLB, LLM, and Ph.D. |
Mode of Admission | Entrance-based |
Application Start Date (CLAT) | August 2025 |
Application Last Date | 31 October 2025 |
Approval & Accreditations | UGC and AIU |
Selection Criteria | Entrance exam scores |
Placement Offered | Yes |
Top Recruiters | Altacit Global, Al Tamimi & Co., Argus Partners, ASC Insolvency Service and AZB & Partners |
University Type | Government |
University Website |
National University of Advanced Legal Studies Ernakulam (NUALS) is a leading Indian law university that brings a blend of judicial academics and an emerging campus life. NUALS provides a range of programs, such as a 5-year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.), a 1-year LL.M., a Ph.D., and a number of postgraduate diploma courses, such as cyber law, banking law, and education law. The application deadline for the one-year LL.M. degree program and the Ph.D. program is 31 October 2025. The university maintains a clear calendar for applicants so that no one misses out on enrolment. NUALS is the right place to earn a degree if anyone is interested in law and would like to have a good base to support their legal profession.
Admissions are primarily through CLAT for undergraduate and postgraduate programs, while doctoral courses may require an additional departmental test or interview. The university ensures that the process should be transparent, giving students an ample amount of guidance and a profound time slot to apply for courses. Academically tracking the official updates is fundamental in law education because NUALS releases rank lists, reporting dates, and other important notices regularly.
Particulars | Dates |
Application Form Release | August 2025 |
Last Date to Apply | October 31, 2025 |
Entrance Exam | December 7, 2025 |
Merit List Announcement | To be announced |
Interview/Selection Process | CLAT |
Admission Offer Letter | - |
Last Date for Fee Payment | - |
Eligibility for NUALS is very simple and straightforward, which ensures that students are academically prepared to start with the program of their choice.
For the 5-year B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) program: It requires 10+2 at minimum at 45 percent (40 percent in the case of SC/ST) and attendance at the CLAT entrance exam.
For postgraduate LL.M. (course): To apply for the postgraduate L.L.M. the candidate must possess a L.L.B. degree (3-year or 5-year) with a minimum of 50 percent marks and with admission based on the CLAT (PG) score.
For the Ph.D. program: A qualified master's degree in Law having a minimum of 55 percent marks and passing a university entrance test and personal interview (P.I.) round.
For diploma and certificate courses: Eligibility for these short-term courses is unrestricted to other graduates, making the studies interdisciplinary.
Till now, NUALS placement has registered a tremendous hike in placement percentage and all its endeavours, due to its dedicated placement cell, industry networking and rigorous training courses. In 2025, around 20+ students got placement offers with a median annual salary of around INR 10.4 LPA. Top recruiters of NUALS Ernakulam include leading law firms, corporates, and public sector organisations, offering students the best opportunities to explore among diverse careers in legal departments.
The university actively prepares students through mock interviews guided by law professionals, resume writing workshops, and skill-building sessions. So when the time comes for students to step out of the university, they will be very certain and confident and ready to bring excellence to their careers.
National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Ernakulam, commits to providing legal education accessible to each and every student from all kinds of financial backgrounds. SC/ST students get a full waiver on tuition fees, while OBC and low-income students could get partial fee concessions purely based on merit and financial background.
The scholarships provided aren’t just based on the student’s financial background; in fact, they reflect NUALS’s belief in equal opportunities. Students will be able to concentrate on learning and self-grooming without the burden of money constraints, ensuring vast support in the campus environment.